Degrees Offered

Degrees conferred at Stanford include:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

The B.S. degree is conferred on students who fulfill undergraduate degree requirements in the following schools and departments/programs:

• School of Earth Sciences
• School of Engineering
• Departments of Applied Physics, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics
• Programs in Mathematical and Computational Science, Symbolic Systems, and Individually Designed Majors (when appropriate)

Top of page

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

The B.A. degree is conferred on students who fulfill undergraduate degree requirements in schools, departments, and programs not listed under B.S. above.

Top of page

Bachelor of Arts and Science (B.A.S.)

The B.A.S. degree is conferred on candidates who fulfill undergraduate degree requirements and the curricular requirements of two majors, with no overlapping courses, which ordinarily would lead to different bachelor's degrees (that is, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science).

Top of page

Dual Bachelor's Degrees (Concurrent B.A. and B.S.)

A Stanford undergraduate may work concurrently toward both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Students who pursue dual bachelor's degrees are subject to higher unit and residence requirements.

Students interested in dual bachelor's degrees must file a "Statement of Intent to Declare Dual Degrees" with the Office of the University Registrar no later than two quarters in advance of completing the program.

Top of page

Coterminal Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

The coterminal degree program allows undergraduates to study for a master's degree while completing their bachelor's degree in the same or a different department.

The University residency, unit requirement, and additional policies for a bachelor's/master's program are described in the "Graduate Degree Progress" section of this site.

Top of page

Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.)

In addition to completing the general requirements for advanced degrees and the requirements specified by their department, candidates for a Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree must complete their degree requirements within the time limit specified and must outline an acceptable program of study on the Master’s Degree Program Proposal.

Top of page

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

The degree of Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) is conferred on candidates who have satisfied the requirements established by the faculty of the Graduate School of Business and the general requirements for advanced degrees. The M.B.A. must be completed within the time limit for completion of the master’s degree.

Top of page

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

In addition to completing the general requirements for advanced degrees and the program requirements specified by the Department of Art, candidates for the degree of Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) must fulfill the requirements for a master’s program proposal and complete their degrees within the time limit for completion of the master’s degree.

Top of page

Master in Public Policy and Master of Arts in Public Policy

The Master in Public Policy (M.P.P.), a two-year program leading to a professional degree, and the Master of Arts in Public Policy (M.A.P.P.), a one-year program not intended as a professional degree, are awarded only as part of a joint degree program. Download the Public Policy Program section of the Stanford Bulletin for details.

Master of Laws (L.L.M.)

The degree of Master of Laws (L.L.M.) is conferred upon candidates who have completed one academic year (26 semester units) in residence in accordance with the rules of the University and the School of Law. The degree is designed for foreign graduate students trained in law and is available only to students with a primary law degree earned outside the United States. The L.L.M. program offers students a choice of two areas of specialization: Corporate Governance and Practice, or Law, Science, and Technology.

Top of page

Master of the Science of Law (J.S.M.)

The degree of Master of the Science of Law (J.S.M.) is conferred upon candidates who have completed one academic year (26 term units) with distinction in accordance with the rules of the University and the School of Law. The degree is primarily designed for those qualified students who hold a J.D. or its equivalent and who are at the Stanford School of Law for independent reasons (for example, as teaching fellows) and who wish to combine work toward the degree with their primary academic activities. Specially qualified lawyers, public officials, academics, and other professionals who have worked outside the United States may apply for the degree through the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies (SPILS).

Top of page

Engineer

In addition to completing the general requirements for advanced degrees and the requirements specified by their department, candidates for the degree of Engineer must be admitted to candidacy and must complete a thesis per specifications.

Top of page

Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)

The degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) is conferred on candidates who satisfactorily complete courses in Law totaling the number of units required under the current Faculty Regulations of the School of Law over not less than three academic years and who otherwise have satisfied the requirements of the University and the School of Law.

Top of page

Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.)

The degree of the Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) is conferred upon candidates who hold a J.D. or its equivalent, who complete one academic year in residence, and who, as a result of independent legal research, present a dissertation that is, in the opinion of the faculty of the School of Law, a contribution to knowledge. Such work and dissertation shall conform to the rules of the School of Law and the University.

Candidacy is limited to students of exceptional distinction and promise.

Top of page

Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)

The degree of Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) is conferred on candidates who have satisfied the general requirements for advanced degrees, the program requirements specified by the Department of Music, and the candidacy requirement.

Top of page

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) must satisfactorily complete the required curriculum in Medicine.

Top of page

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is conferred on candidates who have demonstrated to the satisfaction of their department or school substantial scholarship, high attainment in a particular field of knowledge, and ability to do independent investigation and present the results of such research. They must satisfy the general requirements for advanced degrees, the program requirements specified by their departments, and University doctoral requirements. The option for a Ph.D. minor is also available, though it is not a Ph.D. requirement.

Top of page